Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-24

even straight within the limits Of the park itself
ne designer OF Its plans, the report says. seems
rot TO have had single well-considered idea, and
II still In existence should not again be permitted
10 experiment with matters OF Importance IL was
finally concluded thar nothing better could he
done than TO project the letterd streets OF the
city through the park on their own lines since no
adjustment, even I'm a single case seemed practi-
cable. III, as has been subtly contended the con-
nguratiOn and architecture OF city have de-
neation OF the irreclalmable obliquity OF the
lie Drott Park streets is manifestly desirable for
more than physical reasons
THE NAMES OF THE STREETS
The proper designation OF the east and west
streets beyond the Boundary was carefully consid-
cred. The lettered system within the city is WELL
tablished and found TO he quite convenient and
satisfactory, but the limit OF the alphabet has
nearly been reached. II has been proposed 10 be-
gin again with double A, double r. 6c.. but the
system is anything but euphonious and would
propaply occasion numberieSS and annoying
errors. 1t is possible however, 10 carry out the
Idea with mobilization that frees IL OF embar-
rassment, by using names having the proper ini-
tlai letter. and this system is manifestly capable
or INDEFINITE variation and extension.
AS w street is now the last letteIed street with
In the Boundaryit is proposed TO omit the remain
ing letters =, and z, and 10 begin new lettered
series, selecting names from the list OF Presidents
signers OF the Declaration of Independence and
other distinguished Americans.
The east and west streets, which traverse Nc
Clean circle at the intersection OF Sth street and
New Jersey and Vermont avenues and merges Into
Boundary street at 10th, would be called Adams
street. The next, now called Clifton, would be
Buchanan. The third, now enjoying the four
mmes Irving, Roanoke, Euclid and Erie. with
a a, more simply designated Clay street. Yale and
Everett, and Harvard, Fillmore, intersect-
ing Meridian avenue at Meade circle
Steuben and Columbia become Grant street, ira
VerSlng the circle OF the same name. keneSaw
and Wallach unite as Harrison street; Kenyon,
Marshall and Grant reducedto Jackson; Farragut,
1dan is Lincoln; Mount Pleasant and Howard av-
enues are Madison street; Nelson and Otis follow,
and Pierce street takes the place OF Spring road,
and Roach creek Church road at the border OF tine
1t seems desirable, following the city plan, to re-
tam the designation "streets' for the rectangular
system, and reserve the name "avenue" Tor the
broader diagonal highways. Near Rock creek,
where the topography becomes rugged, the east
ana west streets either terminate at practicable
points or descend into the valley and Join
ROCK CREEK PARK DRIVE,
which leaves Massachusetts, avenue on the south
SIDE, beyond 22d street, and thence follows the
creek valley northward to the limit OF the Dis
trfct, maintaining suitable elevation above the
creek surface and crossing it when needful TO
avoid costly construction. branch also leaves
MASSACHUSETTS avenue from the north side near
Rock creek. This drive was fayorably reported
upon to Congress last spring. Another driveway
Is projected around the new reservoir where IL Is
understood that ample space has already been
included In the purchase OF the reservoir site. In
SionerS do not desire to be understood sindicaing
an absolutely rigid and final judgment upon SUBJ
Ject OF SO much Importance, and with regard 10
which the exact detailed information is not CON-
pete.
CHANGES THAT NAY BE NECESSARY.
The map does the report says represent the
views OF the Commissioners as to the proper loca-
tions, having due regard to uniformity modified
but the time and means. at the dis
posal Of the Commissioners have not made
possible that accurate asceitainment OF
and it may be that were the project approved by
Congress and the work inaugurated, small changes
might prove desirable in some cases, but the plan
as Whole is based upon careful study, and can
be relied upon as In no material respect made
quite incomplete. Should the work be authorized
the commissioners should 6e left to exercise due
discretion In requiring conformity with the
general plan. with power to effect minor mOdifl-
cations as the work progressed.
COST OF THE WORK.
Nor is it believed that the cost would be great
1t has been impossible to make elaborate calcula-
tiOns, especially as the nature OF the ground is
not IN all cases known but the matter has been
so far gone over as to warrant the statement that
the rading tilling, clearing OF distractions
StructtOn or the many culvertS and the gravel
ling OF the road surfaces, which is all
that is necessary at the present time, would
considerably less than s75O, 600 ihe Commission,
ers estimate that the construction or the 4Sk
miles OF streets and avenues projected upon the
time, nor necessarily at public cost. The owners
ofproperty adjacent to the lines OF streets would
no doubt be glad TO aid in their construction by
combining the work with the proposition OF build
ing sites and the proper grading OF their premises.
The work could proceed gradually taking adyan-
tage OF favorable opportunities OF opening streets
and securing aid from the owners and with mod
crate annual appropriations the work could be a,l-
thOr1zed and proceed continuously. The proceeds
OF loan or sale Oh bonds, however, would enable
the Commissioners to proceed with much greater
expedition and attain valuable results the sooner
with increased taxable values, and development
OF public interests; but whatever action may lie
taken by Congress, it is extremely important that
a general plan be adopted at this time and the
requirement. established that all future copstruc-
tonS and subdivisions shall be in conformity there
with. The result of deferring action upon This
matter has been too detrimental In the past. and
will be too costly In the future, TO justify further
The Le Droit park lesson should not need repeti-
tiOn.
WORK THAT MIGHT BE DELAYED.
With regard to the rearrangement OF street
lines in this and similar instances, the Commits
siOners believe that, while an immediate change is
very desirable. IL Is not necessarily urgent. New
Jersey and Rhode Island avenues should be opened
is advantageous; put the cutting through OF the
east and west streets can be deferred with
the understanding that no new constructions in
be permitted The problem might stand
for some time awaiting final solution, but
its difficulties ought not meanwhile to be in
creased. For these and other reasons Including
lack or definite determination OF a large mass OF
detailed valuations, it is not possible 10 make any
estimate OF land damages incurred by the pro-
posed extensions until Congress shall have posi-
lively indicated its Intentions and made provision
for the necessary expense OF the Investigation.
When properties are improved, or but partly
improved there is the best reason 10 believe, from
experience in similar cases, that owners Will dedt
cate the requisite ground or, In case OF a REFUSAL
that a jury OF condemnation would assess
nominal damages only, or none at all.
When holding Is entirely absorbed, or a large
proportion taken, the lands and Improvements
would OF necessity be paid for, but In many OF
these cases, for example, near Mcclellan circle at
the intersection OF Vermont and New Jersey ave
nueS, the District would gain more than IL would
lose by buying out the numerous small and disad-
vantageOuS premises, which could not otherwise
be adequately improved. The Commissioners re-
commend that, IL upon consideration the proposed
plan OF extension shall meet the approval OF Con-
gress, the map be ordered Autographed for public
use.
WATER AND SEWERAGE.
The report calls attention to the necessity OF
the adoption OF systems of water supply and
drainage for the area covered by these proposed
extensions 1t Is proposed TO establish a pumping
station near the northwestern angle OF the new
reservoir, drawing directly from the basin, and
forcing the water through thirty-inch main
along Grant street to Grant circle. AT this
point the pipe viii become vertical to height OF say
90 feet above the ground, or a total elevation OF
25O feet above city datum. The main viii over
now into an enveloping cylinder 15 or 20 feet In
diameter, with fall TO partially aerate the water
if,,tas